Everything You Need to Know About Victoria Falls National Park

Victoria Falls is one of the world’s great natural spectacles. Here, the Zambezi River, dividing landlocked Zambia and Zimbabwe, plunges over 108-metre-tall dark volcanic basalt cliffs in a mile-wide curtain of water — the largest on Earth — with a thunderous spray that leaves visitors dazzled and often drenched.

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘the smoke that thunders’) for its towering mist plumes and soul-shaking sound, the staggeringly impressive falls can be seen from both countries, from national parks on either bank: Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park. Victoria Falls has drawn visitors since the mid-19th century, ever since Dr David Livingstone became the first European to view and document the falls in 1855, subsequently naming them after Queen Victoria. The park itself dates to 1952 and covers around nine square miles, as it technically includes surrounding land, but the star attraction is the gated section where the falls’ perpetual spray sustains an Edenic pocket of rainforest and delivers the most jaw-dropping views of the falls.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls National Park?

While you can visit all year round, timing makes a difference, with pros and cons to every season. The Southern Hemisphere’s spring (September through November) is the hot, dry season, so water levels at the falls are at their lowest, which may make them look a little sparse, but this offers great views of the geology of the gorge. Summer (December to February), the green season, brings rains that begin to fill up the falls again, while autumn (March to May) shows the falls at their high-water peak. Come winter (June to August), the falls are still flowing strongly, but often with less spray. 

The park is open daily from 6am to 6pm. Some visitors prefer to start early to avoid crowds and see the sunrise, and mid-morning and mid-afternoon are typically good times to see rainbows. On nights around the full moon (typically three nights a month), the park reopens in the evenings for special lunar rainbow — or moonbow — viewings, created when the light of the moon is refracted through the water particles, but this is dependent on both the weather and the level of the spray. 

Where to Find the Best Views in the Park?

On the Zimbabwe side, visitors will find 16 viewpoints linked by a single footpath paved with small stones. You can explore them on your own, or with a guide (hired onsite or arranged in advance). As the path is only around 2.5 miles and takes around one to two hours, there’s no reason not to do the whole thing. Highlights depend on the season, but include Viewpoint 16, with views of Victoria Falls Bridge, while Viewpoint 7 shows off the main falls, with the thunderous sound vibrating in your chest.

Zambia also counts the falls as its top attraction, and you can visit both sides in one day. It takes around 20 minutes by car to cross over the border to Zambia via the Victoria Falls Bridge, but delays might make the journey over an hour during busy periods. Don’t forget your passport if you plan on crossing the border.

Where to Find the Best Walking Trails?

From a fitness perspective, the trail isn’t especially challenging; however, for those interested in more of a cardio workout, there’s the often-slippery Chain Walk at Viewpoint 2, with 73 steps and rainbow-filled vistas of the cascading waters.

Another blood-pumping walking trail can be found on the Zambia side at Boiling Pot viewpoint, made up of a steep descent down stone steps (and even a bit of rock scrambling at the bottom).

Where Are the Best Spots to See Wildlife?

The rock-paved trail between the viewpoints is a lush tangle of creeping vines, mahogany trees, and tropical climbers, including the fiery red-and-yellow flame lily, Zimbabwe’s national flower. While most of the larger animals are prevented from entering the prime part of the park by a surrounding fence, you can sometimes see warthogs, vervet monkeys, baboons and plenty of birds, such as the spectacularly showy Livingstone’s turaco and the trumpeter hornbill. Keep your eyes peeled for snakes, too, such as pythons. One morning, a leopard sighting was even recorded — though most of the time you have to go on a game drive to neighbouring Zambezi National Park, upstream of Victoria Falls, to see big cats.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Victoria Falls National Park?

Daredevils are spoiled for choice in and around Victoria Falls, Africa’s unofficial adventure capital, with bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip-lining and helicopter or microlight rides on offer, to name but a few. Some of these activities are seasonal and most can be arranged via hotels or tour operators (there are a few outfits operating near the main entrance to the falls and in Victoria Falls town). On the Zambian side, the social-media-famous natural swimming pool, Devil’s Pool, is seasonal (low-water season) and accessed via licenced guide only from Zambia’s Livingstone Island, where it’s said Dr David Livingstone first glimpsed the falls.

What Are the Best Things to Do for Families?

Kids of all ages are welcome in the park (at the time of writing, children under six go free and children under 12 are half price); however, slippery pathways and a lack of railings/rudimentary barriers mean extra care should be taken. Some of the viewpoints may also be difficult or impossible to access with prams. However, many of the peripheral activities are well-suited to families, including river cruises on the Zambezi and game drives in Zambezi National Park, while rafting, gorge swings and zip-lines may suit some older teens (these have strict age/weight minimums depending on the operator so check before booking).

Where to Stay in the Park?

One of the most luxurious options is Mpala Jena Camp from conservation-focused brand Great Plains: this beachy-chic riverside camp is about an hour away, located within the wildlife-filled Zambezi National Park (stays include a guided visit to the falls and even raincoats). Cheaper and closer — just a few minutes’ drive from the entrance — is historic The Victoria Falls Hotel, built by the British in 1904. One of the most affordable, albeit basic, options is N1 Hotel & Campsite Victoria Falls, within walking distance of the entrance.

What Else You Should Know

You’re likely going to get wet (if not drenched), so wear quick-drying clothing and waterproof shoes or activewear sandals with good grip. You can bring your own raincoat or rent one on site for around $5/£3.75 (some hotels provide them) and don’t forget a waterproof case for your phone/camera or a dry bag for your valuables. It’s a good idea to bring cash (Zimbabwe’s currency is USD) just in case the machines are down at the entry gate (tickets cost $58/£43 per person for international visitors). 

How Accessible Is the Park?

While the stone-paved path is not especially steep, irregularities, slippery stones and a few unpaved or rocky viewpoints might make the trail challenging for those with mobility issues. However, it’s possible to visit with a wheelchair (or hire a wheelchairs and pusher on site).